SWPPX vs VFIAX
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund vs Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Class
Which is better, SWPPX or VFIAX?
Each has led over a different period.
SWPPX has a lower expense ratio. SWPPX led over 1Y, VFIAX over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SWPPX | VFIAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.02%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $149.0B | $677.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 502 | 506 |
| YTD Price Return | +14.23%Best | +13.19% |
| 1Y Price Return | +15.01%Best | +14.96% |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | -33.16% | +21.46%Best |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | -21.55% | +12.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 40.4% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.7% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $2,971 | $17,813Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.6%Tie | 37.6%Tie |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 19, 1997 | Nov 13, 2000 |
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for SWPPX or VFIAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. SWPPX yields 0.98% and VFIAX 1.03% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 11, 2021 to Oct 8, 2026 (5 years).
SWPPX vs VFIAX growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5 years both funds cover. Prices exclude distributions, on both funds alike.
SWPPX vs VFIAX Performance
Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) is a mutual fund from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Class (VFIAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SWPPX returned +15.01% while VFIAX returned +14.96%. Year to date, SWPPX is up 14.23% versus a gain of 13.19% for VFIAX.
Over three years, SWPPX compounded at -33.16% per year against +21.46% for VFIAX; over five years the annualized figures are -21.55% and +12.24% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SWPPX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 40.4% compared with 15.4% for VFIAX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -83.7% for SWPPX and -25.4% for VFIAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SWPPX charges 0.02% per year while VFIAX charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $2 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SWPPX currently yields 0.98% against 1.03% for VFIAX.
Holdings Overlap
98.2% of SWPPX's money is in holdings VFIAX also owns. 98.7% of VFIAX's money is in holdings SWPPX also owns.
Most of VFIAX is already inside SWPPX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
485 positions in common, counted across the 502 positions we hold weights for in SWPPX and 494 in VFIAX, against full books of 502 and 506.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 6 positions for VFIAX that do not appear in our book for SWPPX (0.6% of the fund), and 13 for SWPPX that do not appear in VFIAX (0.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SWPPX | Weight in VFIAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.03% | 7.55% | 0.48% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.99% | 7.05% | 0.06% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.66% | 5.36% | 0.30% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.82% | 4.13% | 0.31% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.99% | 3.24% | 0.25% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.64% | 2.86% | 0.22% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.38% | 2.62% | 0.24% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.89% | 1.90% | 0.01% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.63% | 1.44% | 0.19% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.56% | 1.36% | 0.20% |
98.7% of VFIAX is already inside SWPPX.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SWPPX or VFIAX?
SWPPX has an expense ratio of 0.02% while VFIAX charges 0.04%. SWPPX is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SWPPX or VFIAX?
Over the past year SWPPX returned +15.01% vs +14.96% for VFIAX, so SWPPX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SWPPX or VFIAX?
SWPPX has been the more volatile fund at 40.4% annualized versus 15.4% for VFIAX. Worst drawdown: SWPPX -83.7% vs VFIAX -25.4%.
Should I hold both SWPPX and VFIAX?
SWPPX and VFIAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SWPPX and VFIAX?
98.7% of VFIAX's money is in holdings SWPPX also owns. 98.7% of VFIAX's is in holdings SWPPX also owns. They hold 485 positions in common, counted across the 502 positions we hold weights for in SWPPX and 494 in VFIAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, SWPPX or VFIAX?
SWPPX yields 0.98% while VFIAX yields 1.03%, so VFIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFIAX better than SWPPX?
SWPPX has a lower expense ratio. SWPPX led over 1Y, VFIAX over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.